Game of Thrones Night adds new partners, pre-event performance Saturday, July 21

LEESBURG ─ Through a little magic, as well as partnerships between Loudoun County Public Library and more than a dozen Leesburg businesses, Loudoun County is being transformed into Westeros for Game of Thrones Night at the Rust Library on Saturday, July 21 from 7 to 10 p.m.

The celebration of George R. R. Martin’s works is the library’s premier adults-only after-hours event of the year. Adults 21 and older are invited to an evening of Iron Throne photo ops, trivia, a costume contest, maker demonstrations, live animals and local artists, plus beer, wine and hard-cider from Delirium Café, Casanel Vineyards and Wild Hare Hard Cider available for purchase. Local food trucks Golly Waffles, Ali Baba Kebab and Grubbers will be open for business in the Rust Library parking lot. In addition, South Street Under restaurant is providing raffle prizes during the festivities.

Before and after the free event, attendees are encouraged to “invade” downtown Leesburg, where more than 10 businesses are offering discounts and specials to customers who present their library card Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22. Anyone who doesn’t have a card can get one online at catalog.library.loudoun.gov or in person at any branch, including during the event. Click here for an interactive map (print version) of participating businesses.

“We’re so excited to be able to partner with the businesses in downtown Leesburg and truly make this a community effort,” said Susan Van Epps, Division Manager of Programming for Loudoun County Public Library. “We did something similar last year when we hosted Harry Potter Night, and it was really fun to see these crowds of people in costumes taking advantage of all that downtown Leesburg has to offer. This year, we wanted to expand on that and spread out these special offers all weekend long.”

Attendees will also have a chance to discover the library’s free resources for adults, such as music services, online technology training books and classes, business marketing databases and 3D printing.

UPDATE: Pre-event performance of medieval fighters and artisans has been canceled due to rain: Fighters and artisans from The Barony of Stierbach will now be attending Game of Thrones Night starting at 7 p.m.

Costume contest: The first 25 people to sign up for the Game of Thrones Night costume contest can get posterized! Choose from three different backgrounds, stand in front of our green screen, strike your pose and we'll create an 11x17-inch poster that you can pick up at the branch of your choice in the days after the event. The contest winner will also get a photo shoot. Attendees must sign up by 8:30 p.m. to participate in the contest.

Silent auction: Like our Iron Throne? Take it home with you! The Loudoun Library Foundation is holding a silent auction for the most coveted seat in the house. Other decorations, including dragon eggs and a wood-carved Westeros map, are also up for auction.